11/28/2011

The United States has Jumped the Shark

United States Debt now greater than GDP

Last Wednesday, Nov. 23, the U.S. National Debt officially passed our GDP...I'm betting this is the first you've heard of this matter, because the government and it's media psychophants (spelling intended) don't dare bring it up.

For those who think this isn't a big deal, lets look at a few other 'fun facts' (it might be helpful to go to the U.S. Debt Clock to get the current numbers).

As stated above, the National Debt has passed our GDP...It continues to move past it at a ridiculous rate, and will only get worse as we go forward.

The State and Local Debt should be added to the National Debt, because the Feds would never let them go 'belly up'...This would add another $3 trillion to our government's OVERALL DEBT. Like the Feds, the State and Local Debts are increasing at a faster rate than the Revenue streams to pay them.

The interest on our national debt FOR THIS YEAR ALONE is over $3.7 trillion! That's over 20% of our GDP! And the Feds have only received around $2.3 trillion in tax revenue...It doesn't take a genius to figure this accounting problem: We'll need to increase our taxes by almost 50% to JUST PAY THE INTEREST ON OUR DEBT.

Look at those Unfunded Liabilities: $116 trillion...A joke; an impossible figure. But no one wants to give them up.

So, what's to make of these FACTS?

Our elected officials and the geniuses in the media can lie to us all they want, the reality is our nation is bankrupt and no one is going to be willing to do what it takes to solve the problem: Raise taxes drastically, lower entitlements drastically, steal money from the rest of the world (through empire and resource exploitation), or a combination of all three. Americans aren't willing to do any, or all, of these three factors which would be necessary to manage our National Debt...Which is why we have 'Jumped the Shark' as a nation.

As Americans, most are ignorantly cruising through life without a care in the world about this matter, but make no mistake at some point we will ALL have to pay-the-piper...And when that time comes there will be hell to pay.

First two steps to begin fixing this

Stop borrowing money and eliminate all of your personal debt as quickly as you possibly can.
Do not allow your political representatives to borrow money.

08/23/2010

Vote for Bradley Beauchamp

EVERY VOTE COUNTS IN THIS PRIMARY... AND WE NEED YOUR VOTE!

If you are a registered voter in Arizona Congressional District 1 then I strongly urge you to go to the polls tomorrow and vote for Bradley Beauchamp.

The final push is on...one day to go before the Primary Election on August 24th. In what is shaping up to be one of the most important primaries of our lifetime, the Beauchamp for Congress team is poised for victory.
It's time to make your voice heard - with YOUR vote for Bradley!

Ann Kirkpatrick and the Democrats are expecting the people of CD-1 to be apathetic about voting in this primary - but we know they're wrong, and that you're just as determined as Bradley!

Without question, Bradley Beauchamp has the support of those who LIVE and WORK in Arizona Congressional District 1. He has worked tirelessly to earn your confidence, and the proof is that 96% of all his campaign financing to date has come from you, the people ... not special interests and lobbyist groups that try to buy influence. Bradley's supporters know that his only special interest is representing the voices of people like YOU.

WE HUMBLY ASK YOU FOR YOUR VOTE TOMORROW, AUGUST 24TH.

We also urge you to tell your friends, neighbors and other concerned citizens why you support Bradley Beauchamp for Congress.

Knowing what's at stake in this election, some candidates have succumbed to an unfortunate temptation: underhanded tactics, like attempts at character assassination, hoping that's the way to sway the voters. While it's important to truthfully inform voters about the differences among our Republican candidates, we cannot afford to engage in dirty politics and slander if we're to come together to defeat Ann Kirkpatrick!

The people of District 1 are smart; they're rejecting Chicago-style politics. Instead, they're coming out to meet Bradley as he continues to travel throughout the district to discuss with all of you the things that matter - the issues that are affecting everyday Americans!

So many already realize that Bradley Beauchamp IS the candidate who can defeat Ann Kirkpatrick and the Democrats this November.

Please stand with the thousands from across CD-1 who are supporting BEAUCHAMP FOR CONGRESS!

08/04/2009

Giving Credit where Credit is Due

I have to admit up front I've never been a fan of Bill Clinton.
-no wait, let me rephrase that. I've never been a fan of Bill Clinton's policies and politics. Regarding Bill Clinton, the man, I've never met him so I can't say. Although I would be willing to bet that he's a pretty likeable fellow.

Anyway, I have many times attacked his policies and politics. I have regularly pointed out what I consider the failures of his presidency. This is not one of those times.

Kim Jong Il has pardoned and released two U.S. journalists. Our Government has been working like crazy trying to make this happen, and we've been unsuccessful. Then Bill showed up. We will probably never know what went on or what was said / done during his surprise visit to North Korea; but the fact is he got the shit done.

08/03/2009

I may not know what's good for me

Thanks for clearing that up Andrea.

I am curious though. How many of you would be willing to sign a thousand plus page, irrevocable contract that will effect the health of you, your parents, your children, your grandchildren, along with that of every other American Citizen without reading it? And why is it that those of us who are asking questions, those of us who would like to read this contract, those of us who have read and object to portions of this contract are broadly painted as uneducated, unenlightened, hate-filled, or just plain stupid?

I feel very much like Don Quixote. It seems the entire world has spun in reverse, has flipped upside down and inside out; all without including me.

I remember President Regan calling the Soviet Union an "Evil Empire". I remember the Berlin Wall coming down. I though we won the cold war.
And yet the Политбюро appears to be flourishing in, of all places, Washington D.C.

05/01/2009

Well Said

From my inbox...

I recently asked my friend's little girl what she wanted to be when she grows up. She said she wanted to be President some day.
Both of her parents, liberal Democrats, were standing there, so I asked her, 'If you were President what would be the first thing you would do?'

She replied, 'I'd give food and houses to all the homeless people.'
Her parents beamed.

'Wow...what a worthy goal.' I told her, 'But you don't have to wait until you're President to do that. You can come over to my house and mow the lawn, pull weeds, and rake my yard, and I'll pay you $50.
Then I'll take you over to the grocery store where the homeless guy hangs out, and you can give him the $50 to use toward food and a new house.'

She thought that over for a few seconds, then she looked me straight in the eye and asked, 'Why doesn't the homeless guy come over and do the work, and you can just pay him the $50?'

I said, 'Welcome to the Republican Party.' Her parents still aren't speaking to me.

New Math: Inside Obama's budget meeting

01/20/2009

Inauguration or Pontification?

Please don't misunderstand me. I'm not attacking our new President. It is my sincere hope that he has a successful term of office, and does great things as the leader of the free world. But I am a bit concerned.

The media orgy over the last few weeks, leading up to today's events, has raised a few hairs on the back of my neck.

It appears that a vast number of the people in this country are placing all of their hopes and dreams for change upon the shoulders of Mr. Obama. And I don't think that's wise, or fair. He is not being treated so much as a new President as he is a savior, a messiah. I wonder, today, if there will be palm fronds thrown at his feet.

When I say I don't think it is fair, I mean fair to him. What are these people going to do when they realize that he is not the savior they were hoping for? When they discover that he is just a man, and not a messiah, will they clamor for his crucifixion? How quickly will they turn on him? How quickly will they cry out in anguish when they realize they have foolishly bet their entire sense of self worth, their future, on somebody else's hand?

11/05/2008

Congratulations, Mr. Obama

This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can. - Barack Obama

I did not vote for you. I strongly disagree with you positions on....well, pretty much everything. However, today is not the day for political snarking and sniping. Today is a day for you to bask in the glow of a hard-won campaign.

And so today sir, I congratulate you. Soon you will take the oath of office and be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America.

I did not vote for you.

But I will support you. The office you will soon hold is too important for me to do anything else. We may disagree on, as I stated before, pretty much everything; but once you take that oath, you will be the President of my country. I pray that God grants you the wisdom to make the right decisions, and the strength to stand by those decisions, and the dignity to withstand the inevitable attacks from your critics.

11/03/2008

Why I'm voting Democrat

I want to get my health care from the same competent, efficient, cost-effective, customer-service-focused folks who run the U.S. Post Office, the Pentagon, FEMA and the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

Sen. Obama has promised to cut the taxes of 95% of the people, including the 30% who don't pay taxes.

I think that drilling for American oil is foolish when we can buy oil from the Middle East.

Parents shouldn't get to choose the schools their kids go to. Parents should leave their children's education to the teachers and stay out of it.

Freedom of speech is fine as long as nobody is offended.

When we pull out of Iraq, I trust that the bad guys will stop what they're doing because they now think we're good people.

I believe the oil companies' profits of 4% on a gallon of gas are obscene, but the government taxing the same gallon of gas at 15% is perfectly fine.

I believe that small businesses should not be allowed to make a profit. They need to break even and give the rest away to the government for redistribution to people who didn't start businesses.

I'm not concerned about restoring partial birth abortions; as long as we keep all death row murderers alive.

Sen. Obama has adequate experience in the Federal Government, and "hope" is a great strategy.

I'm way to irresponsible to own a gun, and I know that my local police are all I need to protect me from murderers and thieves.

I think this is the perfect time to raise the capital gains tax and drive investment money out of the stock market.

I believe that people who can't tell us if it will rain on Friday can tell us that the polar ice caps will melt away in ten years if I don't start driving a Prius.

I believe the government will do a better job of spending the money I earn than I would, and I want to spread my wealth around to those who earn less - or nothing.

I miss the high unemployment, inflation and interest rates of the Jimmy Carter years.

The media would call me a racist if I didn't.

-Author Unknown

Ok, the above is obviously tongue-in-cheek (or is it?).
Those of you who really know me already know how I'm going to vote.
That isn't the primary point of this post.

I am directing this post at those of you who are currently undecided.

Let's face it, the simple truth is that I would prefer if you voted for my candidate.
However, of you've taken the time to honestly weight the issues, and seriously think about whom and what/why to vote;
then I want you to vote for whomever / whatever your reasoning tells you to.

Even if you disagree with me;
as long as you have given honest and reasoned thought to your candidate / issues, then please vote your conscience.

If you haven't made a decision by now, stay the hell out of the voting booth.

Seriously, the campaign has been going on for over a year now.
If by now you still have not made a decision,
then you have demonstrated you are incapable of rational thought or that you do not value the importance of your vote.
In either case, you have abdicated your vote to those of us who give a shit.
Stay home and let people who have taken the time to think about the issues;
who are capable of making a decision handle this.
You'll probably just bruise your brain anyway.

Leave the hard decisions to those of us who understand our responsibility as citizens.
Whether we are right wing, centrist, or left wing is immaterial.
The mere fact that we have taken the time to weigh the issues demonstrates that our opinions are more important than yours.

04/04/2008

A Modern Parable

A Japanese company ( TOYOTA ) and an American company ( Ford ) decided to have a canoe race on the Missouri River . Both teams practiced long and hard to reach their peak performance before the race.

On the big day, the Japanese won by a mile.

The Americans, very discouraged and depressed, decided to investigate the reason for the crushing defeat. A management team made up of senior management was formed to investigate and recommend appropriate action.

Their conclusion was the Japanese had 8 people rowing and 1 person steering, while the American team had 8 people steering and 1 person rowing.

Feeling a deeper study was in order, American management hired a consulting company and paid them a large amount of money for a second opinion.

The consultants told them, of course, that too many people were steering the boat, while not enough people were rowing.

Not sure of how to utilize that information, but wanting to prevent another loss to the Japanese, the rowing team's management structure was totally reorganized to 4 steering supervisors, 3 area steering superintendents, and 1 assistant superintendent steering manager.

They also implemented a new performance system that would give the 1 person rowing the boat greater incentive to work harder. It was called the 'Rowing Team Quality First Program,' with meetings, dinners, and free pens for the rower. There was discussion of getting new paddles, canoes, and other equipment, extra vacation days for practices and bonuses.

The next year the Japanese won by two miles.

Humiliated, the American management laid off the rower for poor performance, halted development of a new canoe, sold the paddles, and canceled all capital investments for new equipment. The money saved was distributed to the Senior Executives as bonuses and the next year's racing team was out-sourced to India

A few things to think about:

Ford has spent the last thirty years moving all its factories out of the US , claiming they can't make money paying American wages.

TOYOTA has spent the last thirty years building more than a dozen plants inside the US.

Recently, TOYOTA made $4 billion in profits while Ford racked up $9 billion in losses.

11/08/2006

Giving Republicans the Finger

Did you vote yesterday?

I've never been one to mince words -the Republicans got their collective arses handed to them yesterday. Which they deserved. Don't get me wrong, I'm still (and always will be) a strong member of the Christian right wing conspiracy, and I'm not rejoicing in Republican defeat. The reason the Republicans have lost the House (and possibly the Senate -results are still being tallied as I write this) is quite simply that they turned their backs on their core values.

The Republican leadership, as a collective, abandoned their party. They allowed themselves to become lured into the trap of moderatism, and in doing so cast off their conservative clothing to reveal a new liberal body politik in all of it's debased glory. In other words, they copied the Democrats.

The American people, as in 1992, voted with their conscience. We were (quite rightly so) pissed off at the current leadership, and we taught the Republican Party a lesson about what happens when you abandon your values. The problem though, is that when we Americans get pissed off we don't always think things through.

If you remember 1992, the conservative majority was pissed off as well. Lots of them voted for Perot and other independents. Clinton ended up winning the Presidency and, with the help of a Democratic majority, within six months of being in office passed one of the biggest (don't forget retroactive) tax increases in history. Which set the stage for the recession of the 1990s. It took the Republican 8 years to recover.

--On a side note: Please notice that I can disagree with President Clinton's politics and policies while still being respectful of the man and the office he held. Oh how I wish that President Bush's detractors would hold themselves to the same standard.

Just so I'm not misunderstood or misquoted on this: I'm not saying that we as Americans are stupid, misinformed, ignorant, or anything like that. I'm saying that we have a very deep rooted sense of right and wrong, and when somebody violates it (like the Republicans over the last several years) we tend to become rather passionate in correcting them. We say things like "teach them a lesson" and "show them who's boss" all the time. We are a very easygoing people; but when we become angry about something we tend to act first; question later. The Republicans deserved every bit of thrashing and whipping they got yesterday. It is entirely their own fault.

To be quite honest about it; I'm very deeply saddened by yesterday's results. I fear that we will end up cutting and running from Iraq (and other places as well). While this may appease many in the short term, it bodes poorly for the long term. I have a 14 year old son, and I fear that he may end up on the front lines of some unfinished war -as a direct result of yesterday's election.

If the idea of Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House doesn't scare the living hell out of you; perhaps you didn't pay attention in history class.

As always, comments are welcome. Due to the vitriolic nature of some of the campaigning (on both sides); I remind you to please be respectful of people's offices, opinions, and names. Please don't force me to invoke Godwin's Law. I'd particularly like to hear from my two favoriteliberals, and my two favoriteconservatives.

09/12/2006

5 years + 1 day

Pero is pissed off. And rightfully so. We did not want this war. We did not start this war. If the leaders of the political left in this country have their way; we will not win this war either. Running away is unacceptable. We must finish what they started.

05/02/2006

Star Spangled Banner in Spanish

I just saw on the morning news (no links yet on CNN, MSNBC, or FOX News) a story that a group of musicians has released a version of the Star Spangled Banner in Spanish. Sorry, I don't have any names; I walked in after that part of the story.

Anyway, the story went on to cover how several politicians are upset that the song is being sung in Spanish, not English. One (again, I don't have any names yet) is even introducing a bill to Congress that requires that the Star Spangled Banner be sung in English. To all of this I have but one thing to say: SHUT THE HELL UP!

Yes, I think that demonstrating competence in English, both written and spoken, should be a requirement of becoming a United States Citizen. But if you want to record, sing, or just play the National Anthem in your native tongue; then please, go right ahead.

05/01/2006

My Back Yard - revised

In honor of "today's"day without immigrants" (one can only hope), I've decided to repost something my brother sent me a while back. If you want to call me a racist/bigot, so be it; but you'll have missed the point.

Enjoy...

My back yard

A few years ago I came home from work to find a man living in my back yard. Apparently he climbed over my fence and set up a little shack on the back part of my property.

I didn't mind so much at first, he did a lot of work around my yard that I didn't like to do...pull weeds, mow, etc. After a while I noticed there were a few more of them living back there, but it wasn't just that. They began to invite themselves into my house, using my kitchen and eating my food. They slept in my bed, enjoyed my prescription medicines that I paid for, they started driving my car without a license and sent their kids to my son's school. My insurance bills went up to cover their drugs, my taxes were used to pay for their food and their children's attendance at my child's school. In fact, they demanded they should only pay what we pay to attend college.

When I questioned them about their trespassing and theft they said that they were entitled because they snuck in my back yard long enough ago that they considered themselves to be entitled to my house and property. They said they work and pay taxes, even if their identification isn't legal and their social security numbers are manufactured. Besides, how could I begrudge them the same things I have?

I finally had enough and called the police. They told me that they were helpless to enforce the law. Even though they were breaking the law by stealing and trespassing, they said that if they took the time to clean the squatters out of my yard, they'd be tied up all day doing that for everyone. Nevermind the fact that some of them manufacture and deal drugs from my residence. Some of my neighbors have even gone so far as to label me a bigot, just for wanting the laws to be enforced.

Just because someone broke the law years ago, but has gone on to become a model citizen since then does not excuse the fact that they are a lawbreaker. Why does this logic only apply when it is convenient? If the people in my back yard are "just seeking the American Dream," and I'm a bigot for pointing out the legality of their immigration status, then what's all the uproar about a paroled rapist or child molester who has paid his debt to society and moves to your neighborhood?

The hypocracy of those who claim amnesty should be granted based on the good-citizenship of ILLEGAL aliens is astounding. Their good behavior is nullified by the fact that their entering this country was a crime. America, the country of immigrants embraces all who come here abiding the law. In fact, the cry from legal immigrants should drone out the incessant babble of those who squawk amnesty for illegals.

Look in your backyard, check your refrigerator and medicine cabinet. Whether you know it or not, people are trespassing on your sovereign property and stealing from you. They have the audacity to demand rights and services to which only legal residents are entitled and expect you to pay for it. Your "one world" neighbors think you should let them continue their parasitic existance, going so far as to demand amnesty, which would only multiply the strangers in your backyard.

04/14/2006

McCain Clinton 2008

Please note that this is NOT a political endorsement either for or against any candidate. What follows is my belief of what is going to happen. I'm NOT going to tell you how I'm going to vote -that's none of your business.

Wherin I tell you who will be President

A little over a year ago I posted this parody. Over the past year, my "joke" appears more and more likely. Now it is time for me to give you another prediction, however this one is not a joke. John McCain is most definitely going to try another run for the presidency. Yeah, I know, that's not big news. Hillary Clinton is going to make a run as well.

"Wow Devin, how'd you come up with that"? I admit it, I have an amazing skill. Before you start pointing out that everybody knows they are going to run, allow me to let you in on a little secret: I know who is going to win.

Did your ears perk up a bit there? I figured they would. I'm going to tell you who is going to win the Presidency of the United States of America in 2008. And, like all good predictions, you won't believe me. That's OK though, I really don't mind whether or not you believe me, because in the end, I'll still be right.

02/02/2006

Endorsement: Royce Jenkins for State Senate

Royce M. Jenkins from the Village of Kykotsmovi on the Hopi Indian Reservation filed his nomination papers for Arizona State Senate District No. 2 with the Secretary of State’s Office today. Jenkins will run as a Republican Candidate for the Arizona State Senate District 2 which encompasses parts of Apache, Navajo, Coconino, Mohave, and Yavapai Counties. Jenkins said he is entering the race to be an active and visible voice for District 2 and represent the issues and concerns for all of Arizona.

I worked with Royce at the BLM, and he is a good man. If I lived in Arizona State Senate District No. 2, I would vote for him. Unlike most "political folks"; Royce has a fairly high givashit level. (ooooh, I used a naughty word in a political endorsement.) He actually cares about people. In addition, he is one of the smartest, most upstanding individuals I have ever met.

06/09/2005

My Back Yard

A few years ago I came home from work to find a man living in my back yard. Apparently he climbed over my fence and set up a little shack on the back part of my property.

I didn't mind so much at first, he did a lot of work around my yard that I didn't like to do...pull weeds, mow, etc. After a while I noticed there were a few more of them living back there, but it wasn't just that. They began to invite themselves into my house, using my kitchen and eating my food. They slept in my bed, enjoyed my prescription medicines that I paid for, they started driving my car without a license and sent their kids to my son's school. My insurance bills went up to cover their drugs, my taxes were used to pay for their food and their children's attendance at my child's school. In fact, they demanded they should only pay what we pay to attend college.

03/24/2005

Bloody Hands

If you're going to kill somebody, then have the f'ing balls to kill them quickly. Starving a person to death is NOT humane; it is a coward's way. Allowing somebody to slowly die because of your inaction does not take away your guilt. In the end, the person is just as dead as if you shot them in the head. If you're going to go through with it, then step up and do it right.

03/14/2005

McCain declares candidacy

During an appearance on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central) last evening, retired U.S. Senator John McCain (R, AZ) announced his intention to run for the Republican nomination for President in 2008. Jon Stewart, the host of the show, appeared both stunned and thrilled at the surprise announcement.

McCain has served as both a member of the Arizona House of Representatives from 1982 through 1986, when he was elected to fill the seat of (then) retiring U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater. McCain previously ran for the nomination in 2000. Unlike Goldwater in 1968, McCain did not win the nomination. He then returned to the senate where he (until his retirement last year) championed several causes, including campaign finance reform.